> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.tom-shaw.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Born Anew - URL: https://www.tom-shaw.uk/born-anew-994/ - Published: 2024-05-13T08:01:27.000Z - Updated: 2024-05-13T08:01:27.000Z - Description: A Poem by Tom Shaw - Author: Tom Shaw - Tags: Poems, #substack, #substack-type-newsletter, #substack-access-everyone, #Import 2026-10-24 12:50 *Music:* [*Doctor Turtle - Lullaby for Democracy*](https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Doctor%5FTurtle/The%5FDouble-Down%5FTwo-Step/lullaby%5Ffor%5Fdemocracy?ref=tom-shaw.uk) --- > Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedLet me give you some space > to play and grow, > for there's something magical > in watching you blossom, > and smile. > > Let me sing you a lullaby > when the day is done, > for there's something mystical > in watching you sleep so deep > that you smile. > > Yes, this life, it will > tear at your heartstrings, > but it's only to open you up > so you feel more love. > Yes you will cry in the flood > that the monsoon brings, > but it's only to wash out your eyes > so you see all of the doves > that rise from the rubble, > like a phoenix might do > when you've been born anew, > and born to be you. > > Let me see to your wounds > when the bees have stung, > for there's something healing > when we feel each other’s warmth > and smile. > > Let me show you the ropes > when you're all knotted up, > for there's something binding > when we untangle the mess > and smile. > > Yes, this life, it will > tear at your heartstrings, > but it's only to open you up > so you feel more love. > Yes you will cry in the flood > that the monsoon brings, > but it's only to wash out your eyes > so you see all of the doves > that rise from the rubble, > like a phoenix might do > when you've been born anew, > and born to be you. > > Let me wave you goodbye > as you leave my life, > for there's something freeing > when you fly forth from your cage > and smile. ###### Born Anew - A Poem by Tom Shaw --- [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) --- This poem comes from my first poetry book, [*Born Anew and Other Poems*](https://tom-shaw.uk/born-anew-and-other-poems/?ref=tom-shaw.uk). It’s a particular favourite of mine, so much so that I named the book after it, and I chose to release it on Substack this week to mark the 3-month anniversary of the book’s release. For this piece, I thought about how I want to communicate the joys and challenges of this world to my future children and subsequent generations. I wrote it initially as a lullaby, and then tweaked it slightly to make it work for a poetry book. It still gives me goosebumps every time I read it to myself or aloud, perhaps because it also speaks to a child within me who has feared having to go through change in life. We’ve certainly been through a lot of change in the past few years, [where those versions of me have come online](https://www.tom-shaw.uk/why-bother/). In a world where our children have been (and continue to be) taught to fear the planet, fear their leaders, fear their friends and fear the future, the need for messages that allow children to move past their fears in creating a world that works for them is more important than ever. If you feel this piece may help do that, I encourage you to share it with someone who needs to hear it. Thank you for taking the time to read this piece, and I look forward to bringing you more soon. With gratitude, Tom ![](https://cdn.mymidnight.blog/a14ac55a4f27472c5d894ec1c3c743d2/substack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com/public/images/c5d9bf45-375f-44fe-a426-ea76f6e54468_750x990.png) If you enjoyed this piece, please consider subscribing and leaving a tip to help me continue bringing you new pieces for free. 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